Cutter chain



M. P. HOLMES 'cUTrEn CHAIN I Original Filed Feb. 28. 1919 Mar. 3, 1925.

Patented Mar. 3, 1925.

UNITED *STATES PATENT OFFICE.

MORRIS I". HOLMES, or GLAREMONT, NEW HAMPSHIRE, ASSIGNOR. To SULLIvAN MA- OHINERY COMPANY, A CORPORATION or' MASSACHUSETTS.

CUTTER CHAIN.

Application led February 28, 1919, Serial No. 279,865. Renewed September 29, 1923.

T aZZ whom it mag/'concerne' Be it known that I, Moinus P. HOLMES, a citizen of the United States, residing 4at Claremont, in the county of Sullivan and State of New Hampshire, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Cutter Chains, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact specification.

My invention relates to cutter chains.'

It has for its object to provide an 1mproved cutter chain, and, though not limited thereto, more especially an improved cutter chain adapted to use on a mining maohlne. A further object of my invention is to pr o vide an improved and simplified cutter chain comprising a minimum number of different cutter links of improved construction. A still further'object of my invention is to provide an improved cutter link and an 1mproved series of the same whereby the arrangement of the cutter bits and the posi* tions of the same upon the cutter chain may be varied within wide limits. These and other objects and advantages of my iniproved construction will, however, hereinatter more fullyappear. l v

In the accompanying drawings, I have ,shown for purposes of illustration one embodiment which my invention may assume in practice.

In these drawings,"

Fig. 1 is a side elevation, partially in section, of a `section of chain constructed in vaccordance with my improvement.

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the same.

Fig. 3 is a sectional view takenonline 3 3 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 isa sectional view taken on line 4 4 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is a sectional .3-5 of Fig. 1.

Fig. G- is a diagrammatic view of the arrangement ot two cooperating unit chain sections.

In this illustrative construction I have shown a cutter chain comprising cutter links l and connecting links 2, the same herein being pivotally connected at 3 and arranged in alternative relation, although obviously the sequence of the links may be varied as desired.,

In my improved construction, it will be observed that the cutter links 1 are of a substantial character, the same preferably being .view taken on line i of integral construction and made of cast steel or a suitable forging. As illustrated, each of these links has O11 each end of the same and near its base, a single longitudinally extending, centrally located extension or ear 4 having flat sides and a rounded end, and eac-h of these extensions 4i is provided With a transverse bore 5 adapted to receive the pivot pin 3 and thereby operatively connect the two elements ot' the link 2 to the extension. Here it will also be observed that these'extensions 4l are symmetrical so that each link 1 may be turned end for end when desired. It'will Valso be observed that each link 1 is provided with a lateral extension tion (i. )is shown, these/ slots 7 and 8 carry therein cutter bits, in the caso ot the left hand link (Fig. 1) indicated,,1-espectively, at 9 and 10, the bits heilig respectively clamped in their slots by means of set screws 11 and 12. It will also be observed that thc inward movement of each ot' the bits in its slot is limited by means of a pin 13 disposed transversely across the inner ends ofthe slots, means thereby being provided to prevent straight bits or picks from sliding through the slots before they can be clamped in position therein.

Referring now more particularly to the left hand cutter link shown in Figs. 1 and 3, it will be observed that the slots 7 and 8 therein are disposed substantially at right angles to one another, and that the boss 6 is provided with two longitudinally spaced lateral extensions or bosses 11 and 15, of which the extension 111 is higher than the extension 15. It will also be. observed that the bits 9 and lO'eXtend centrally through these extensions 14 and 15, respectively, and are so disposed that the angle between the bit 9 and the longitudinal center line of the link (dotted in Fig. 3) is slightly less than the angle between the bit. 1() and this line. Referring now to the second or center cutter bit shown in Fig. 1, and also shown in Fig. 4, it will be observed that the boss 6 there of is also provided with two longitudinally spaced lateral-extensions or bosses 1.6 and 17. These bosses 16 and 17, however, -do not extend as far laterally as the extensions 14 and 15 on the first link, and carry in their slots 7 and 8, respectively, angularly disposed cutter bits 18 and 19, of which-thc angle between the bit 18 and the longitudinal center line of the link (dotted in Fig. 4) 1s smaller than the angle between the bit 19 and that line. Here it will also be noted that the angle between the bit 19 and that line is less than the angle between the bit 9 and that line. Referring now to the right hand link shown in Fig. 1 and also shown in Fig. 5, it will here be'observed that the boss 6 1s provided with only slightly laterally disposed, longitudinally spaced extensions or bosses 20 and 21, and that located substantially centrally in these members 20 and 21 are cutter bits 22 and 23, of which it; will be noted that the bit 22 is disposed substantially in the longitudinal center line of the link (dotted in Fig. 5), While the bit 23 is disposed at a slight angle with respect to that line but at an angle thereto less than the angle of the bit 18 to the line.

Summing up the different positions of the bits, it will be observed that the order of the same as their angle to the center line decreases, is as follows: 10, 9, 19, 18,23, and. 22. In other words, a unit section having the bits thereof arranged in six-positions is produced. This sectionof' chain may obviously be extended to any desired length by simply adding thereto any number of connected 'series of cutter links such as described, the links of alternative sections, however, being turned end for end and having their bits reversed. It will thus be observed that through the reversibility of the' links 1 it is possible to produce with only three stock cutter links, a. twelve-position chain, wherein the bits on the links of the reversed series are so disposed that their paths lie adjacent the paths cut by the bits on the series in their other position. More pa1ticularly it will be observed that this is accomplished by simply turning the links end for end and. reversing the direction of the bit points to get the other six positions. The. reversible feature will be more readily seen b having reference to Fig. 6 wherein it wil be noted that bits of one sectional unit are disposed in lines A and B which, when extended, intersect. The remainder of the bits which would constitute the bits in the reversed sectional unit lie in lines A and B which, when extended, also intersect. It is to be noted that the angles X and X of the intersecting lines A-B and A-B, respectively, are substantially equal. It will also be observed that with my improved construction it is possible not only thus t-o reverse the individual links, but to reverse a complete section of three links or a series of such sections comprising '1 a chain, and that it is also possible to produce any desired one of a wide number of variations by reversing any particular link. It will also be noted that since the wear on a cutter link usually comes at one end of the same, i. e. upon one of' the ears 4, through this reversibility of my improved links it is possible to double'thc life thereof, thc link when reversed presenting a new and unworn member 4. Obviously,.while the advantages .described above may be obtained in connection with links carrying a plurality of bits, further wide variations in the arrangement of the bits may be effected by utilizing only one bit in each link or in certain links and adjusting this bit in either of the four bit positions presentable by each link.

It will be observed that each bit as shown in Fig. 2 will cut a path the widthl of a single bit, which path alternates with an uncut path. For instance, the bits 22, 23

are transversely spaced a distance equal to the width of a bit. The bits 19 and 23 are also transversely spaced a distance equal to the width of one bit. This arrangement is also true o-f bits 19 and 10, 9 and 1.8,l and 18 and 22.

In connection with my improvement, attention is particularly directed tothe fact that the links are of an exceedingly rugged .service condition encountered in soft or hard cutt-ingand to insert kerfs of widely 4varying widths adapted to the conditions and cut-ting encountered. It will valso be especially observed that through my improvement it is possible to equip a complete chain having all of these various adjustments with only three types of cutterlinks, thereby materially simplifying the manufacturing problems and also eliminating any necessity for the user to keep in stock for repairs any more extensive stockthan a supply of each of the three links, thereby materially reducing his investment in repairs and thcdifiiculties and delays ordinarily attendant upon making the same. These and other advantages of my improved construction will, however, be clearly apparent to those skilled in the art.

While I have in this application specifically described one embodiment which my invention may assume in practice, it is to be understood that this forni is shown for illustrative purposes only and that the invention may be modified and Vembodied in various other forms without departing from its spirit or the scope of the appended claims. y

What I claim as new and desire to 'secure by Letters Patent is: 4

1. A cutter chain comprising a plurality of links, and a plurality of cutter bits forming a set carried by each of said links, said bits in each set-being`disposed at unequal angles to the median line of said link and the anglebetween the bits of one set being different from the angle between bitsof another set.

2. A cutter chain comprisin a plurality of links, a plurality of cutter its forming a set carried by each of said linksx said bits in each set being disposed at une ual angles to the median line of said link an the angle -between the bits of one setbeing dilierent from the angle between bits of another set, said plurality of bits and links forming a unit, and sets of bits forming a second unit arranged with respect to each other substan-A tially identical to the bits of the first unit, and so arranged that the bits on the opposite sides 'of the median line of corresponding sets in the units make the same angle with respect to the median line.

3. A cutter chain comprisinga plurality of links, and a plurality of cutter bits forming a set carried by each of said links, said bits in each set being4 disposed at unequal angles to the median line of saidlink and the angle between the bits of one set being different from the angle between bits of another set, one set of bits being so arranged that they cut paths that are disposed on the outside of the paths cut by the bits of another set. f

4. A cutter chain comprising a plurality of links, and a plurality of cutter bits form ing a set carried by each of said links, said bits in each set being disposed 4at unequal angles to the median line of said link and the angle between the bits of one set being diii'erent from the angle between the bits of another set, the bits of said sets being so disposed as to cut paths that alternate with` uncut paths.

5. A cutter chain comprising a plurality of links, a plurality of cutter bits forming a set carried by each of said links, said bits in each set being disposed at unequal angles to the median line of said link and the angle between the bits of one set being different from the angle between the bits of another set, the bits of-said sets being so disposed as to cut paths that alternate with uncut paths, and additional bits adapted to cut said uncut paths.

6. A cutter chain comprising a plurality of links, a plurality of cutter bits forming a set carried by each of said links, said bits in each set being disposed at unequal angles to the median line of said link and the angle between the bits of one set being different from the angle between the bits of another set, said sets of bits forming a unit, the bits of said unitbeing so disposed'asto cut paths that alternate with uncut paths, and

a second set of bits forming another unit substantially identical to the first unit, the

bits in said second unit being disposed to follow the first unit to out the uncut paths. 7. A 4cutter chain comprising a plurality of links and bits carried thereby, some of vsets of intersecting lines have substantially equal angles, said bits being so disposed that substantially only one vline passes through each, bit and so that the bits disposed in one set cooperate with the bit's of the other set to` makey a single complete cut within the limits of the outermost Abits in said lines.

8. A cutter chain comprising a plurality of links and bits carried thereby, some of said bits being so disposed that they lie substantially in extended lines that intersect whilev the remainder of said bits likewise lie in extended lines that intersect and both sets of intersecting lines have substantially leq ual angles, said bits being so disposed that substantially only `one line passes through each bit and so that the bits disposed in one `set of lines travel in paths that are alternately arranged with Jrespect to the paths traveled by the remaining bits.

9. A cutter chain comprising a plurality of links and bits carried thereby, some of said bits being so disposed that they lie substantially in' extended lines that intersect while the remainder of said bits likewise lie in extended lines that intersect and both sets of intersecting lines have substantially equal angles, the bits disposed in one set of lines traveling in paths that are alternately arranged with respect to the paths traveled by the remaining bits and the arrangement of said bits `being such that the paths cut by the bits have communication substantially with each other.

10. A cutter chain comprising a plurality of links and bits carried thereby, some of said bits being so disposed .that they lie substantially in extended lines that intersect while the remainder of said bits likewise lie in extended lines that intersect and both sets of intersecting lines have substantially equal angles, and that each of the bits disposed in one set of lines travels in a path that is alternately arranged with respect to the paths traveled by the remaining bits.

11. A cutter chain comprising a plurality of links, said links being divided into Sets and each set including a plurality of links carrying bits wherein each bit of the first set is adapted to cut a single path that alternates with uncut portions while the bits of the second set are adapted to cut paths in said uncut portions, and the bits of one las TIE

set having the same longitudinal and trans#4 verse arrangement with respect to each otherl as the bits in the other set. 4

12. A cutter chain comprising a plurality of links some of which are substantially identical in construction, said links being divided into sets and each set including a plurality of links carrying bits wherein each bit of the first set is adapted to cut a single path that alternates with uncut portions, and the bits of the second set being adapted to cut paths in said uncut portions.

13. A cutter chain comprisin a plurality of links, said links being divi ed into sets and each set including a plurality of links carrying bits wherein each bit of the first set is adapted to cut a single path that alternates with uncut portions while the bits of the second set cut pat-hs in said uncut portions and the bits of each set being disposed in substantially identical arrangements that are symmetrical.

14. A cutter chain comprising a plurality of series of bits, the bits of one of said series all being disposed within a wedge-shaped formation while the remaining bits are disposed to the re'ar of the foremost bit in said formation, and each bit of one series being adapted to cut a path that alternates with uncut paths while the remaining bits' are so disposed that they travel in said uncut portions.

15. A cutter chain comp-rising a plurality of identical series of bits wherein the arrangement of the bits `with respect to each other in oneseries is substantially identical to the arrangement of the bits in the other series while the bits of each series are disposed within wedge-shaped formations which have their longitudinal axes offset relative to each other, so that the bits of one series are thereby so disposed that they.

cut paths that alternate with uncut paths, and the bits of the second series being so disposed that they cut in said uncut paths.

16. A cutter chain for use on a mining machine of the cutter bar type comprising a plurality of series of links each having a plurality of bits arranged at different angles and on opposite sides of the central plane of said cutter bar, the angles of the bits on one link of a series being greater than those of the bits on an adjacent link and the links in adjacent series being reversed, whereby Athe bits of each series cut in the spaces between the paths of the bits in the other series.

17. A cutter chain intended for orbital spaces between the paths of the bits in the other series.

18. A cutter chain comprising a plurality of series of linkseach of said links being provided with a plurality of cutter bits disposed at different angles to the median line thereof, the minimum angle of either bit on one link being greater than the maximum angle of either bit on one of the adjacent links and the maximum angle of either of the bits of said first mentioned link being less than the minimum angle of either bit onthe other link adjacent it yand the links in adjacent series being reversed, whereby the bits of each series cut in the spaces adjant the paths of the bits in `theother series.

19. Ina cutter chainl` a series of cutter links each provided with a plurality of cutter bits reversibly disposed at different angles to the median line thereof, said links being reversible and the angles of said bits such that the paths cut by the bits of each of said links upon reversal of said links will overlap the paths cut' by said bits prior t0 reversal.

20. A cutter chain comprising a series of dissimilar cutting links on each of which a pair of bits are carried,*the links and bits being reversible, ythe angle between the bits on each link being different from the angle between the bits on the other dissimilar links and the bits on each link making different angles with the median longitudinal plane of the link, said parts being so -arranged that the path cut by each of the bits of any given link after the reversal of the link and bits will adjoin the path cut by the other bit of said link prior to the re- Versal.-

21. A cutter chain composed of a series of reversible cutter links each having a plurality ofbits disposed therein at different angles to the median line of said links, said lbits being adapted, upon reversal of said parts to cut adjacent the paths cut by said bits before reversal of said links.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

MORRIS P. HOLMES.

llO 

